From the heart...

I will try very hard not to ramble in this blog. I have a great deal to share, but want to do so fairly and precisely so that there are no misunderstandings. This is not a political
blog. Please understand: this is NOT a political blog. This is a message straight from my heart to you.

When my soldier son was deployed in 2003, my world shook. I realize our world is rocked anytime there is a major international incident, but I want to make certain you understand – my world was rocked. One of the many, many lessons I learned from the experience is that none of us should be analyzing or criticizing world affairs when, quite frankly, we have limited knowledge. I visited a Christian counselor within a few weeks of
my son’s deployment. I was suffering from panic attacks about 5-6 times a day. I sought counsel from someone I believed to be “wise” and “skilled.”

The entire session was spent by me listening to the counselor tell me how much she loves George W. Bush. She then went into how her family watches FOX News and they appreciated the “honest coverage.” I often ask myself why I didn’t
interrupt her and ask, “Excuse me….what am I paying you for today? I didn’t come for your political commentary.” The truth is – I was simply too weak to voice how I felt or ask for
what I needed.

Again, remember – this is not a political blog. I hated George W. Bush. Yes, I hated him and that really isn’t a word I use too often when describing my
feelings towards another human being. I held him personally responsible for my son living in a dangerous situation. I realize my hatred was both irrational and unchristian. Didn’t matter. In my world, George W. Bush was personally responsible for taking
my son away from me and putting him in danger.

People, me included, say cruel things to one another. At my very lowest, I heard:

“Your son volunteered to do this. Get over it.”

“I can’t believe you support this war.”

“George W. Bush is a praying President! How can you not like him?!”

The problem with politics is we want everyone else to eliminate their
personal feelings from the issues, but that is really all we spew – our own personal feelings regarding an issue. However, this blog is not about politics; it is about the hearts of people.

Please prayerfully read these verses without political argument:

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable
to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

I have to tell you folks; I think the majority of us (if we are honest) are guilty of some of the very things God hates. I know that I am.

Sharing from the heart, I am asking anyone reading this that calls themselves a Christian, a Christ-follower, or a Believer to stop and ask ourselves, “Am I behaving in a way that God hates?” The political season is underway. It’s
going to get worse before it gets better. I am not claiming to be not guilty. Like the Apostle Paul, I can honestly say I am the greatest of sinners.

We don’t have to like gun control. We don’t have to like tough talk. We don’t have to want a woman for President. We don’t have to agree with or value anything any current politician or candidate has to say.
We do, however, have to answer to God.

I stopped hating George W. Bush. It took entirely too much energy and I grew exhausted.
I stopped going to the counselor who gave me her political opinion in each session I paid for and started going to the Counselor
who calmed my fears, taught me valuable lessons in the storm, and changed my heart.

“Don’t judge a man before you walk a mile in his moccasins.”
Old Native American Proverb used in the poem, “Judge Softly,” by Mary T. Lathrap, 1895.